Cat Tips

Try to determine your cat's breed (or breeds), as certain health conditions have genetic links. For example, Persians and Abyssinians tend to be at risk for kidney problems, which are manageable if diagnosed early.

Microfiber: The Miracle Fabric Cats Won’t Scratch

By Dorian Wagner

If you have cats, chances are you also have a shredded piece of furniture -- or two. The edge of the couch, the corner of your bed, the side of your favorite chair -- they’re all fair game as far as your cat and its claws are concerned.

You’ve probably tried to lure your cat’s claws away from your nice furniture with various kinds of scratching posts or cardboard scratch boxes, only to find out your cat would rather sleep on its new scratcher than scratch it, and your couch is still suffering.

If this is you and you’re at your wits’ end, I’m about to change your world: Get a microfiber couch.

My oldest cat has personally retired three couches in his 12 years of living with me. It’s his claim to fame, and I figured I’d just be resigned to shredded furniture. Part of having a cat, right? Until someone told me about microfiber.

Microfiber fabric is soft and smooth, which is the exact opposite of the type of fabric cats like to scratch. Cats scratch to file their nails, and this fabric won’t help them there -- and they know it. I’ve had my microfiber couch for almost two years, and it doesn’t have a single snag, tear, hole or pull. Any of my other couches would have looked like a bird’s nest by now.

Besides being scratch-resistant, microfiber is a fairly tough fabric. I’ve heard claws go in, and the occasional crazy cat will fling himself off the side, but I never notice a claw mark or poke. All in all, it’s a great couch fabric for people who have cats that like to scratch.

Posted on February 19, 2012

Posted on December 22, 2011

Kim says: I have 2 microfiber couches, and my kitten has taken to both of them. Its not really noticable at first, but I can tell.

Posted on October 20, 2011

Suzanne says: I don't remember who told me about microfiber, but it has been a life (couch?) saver! I have a Mission style microfiber-cushion couch & chair, and both stay in decent shape. However, my little furry darlings do like gnawing the wood. :/ I also have microfiber curtains, which are great. This stuff is by far the best fabric choice for multi-cat households like mine! Now, if they'd only make rugs out of it...

Posted on September 20, 2011

Alison Anne says: My current two cats don't scratch on our microfiber furniture... though an old cat who has now passed, shredded one piece. But since the current darling are anti microfiber, that will be my next sectional purchase for sure!

Posted on August 19, 2011

CB says: My Georgia loves to scratch the corners of our microfiber couch. No matter what I do, she finds a way to the corners.

Posted on August 16, 2011

Cindy says: I also purchased a microfiber couch and have a microfiber quilt. Since our cats sleep with us they kind of tear up the quilts and bedspreads.

Posted on August 9, 2011

Joyce says: My kitty Missy who is my problem scratcher initially left my microfiber couch alone. Now after two years, she has decided it is wonderful for scratching. She hits it up every evening to get my attention. I am working on rechanneling and distractions.

Posted on August 9, 2011

Barb says: It might be true that some cats won't scratch microfiber, but it's not so for all. My cat has successfully shredded a couch and a chair. :-)